Halloween Haunts

You Can’t Say ‘Boo’ to These Fright Night Happenings

Felix Winternitz

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

‘Tis the season for mayhem, mania and murderous intent at the Tristate’s various cornfield mazes, haunted houses and eerie castles. And when you’re trapped inside a cornfield or a spooky mansion, no one can hear you scream.

As you plan your Halloween outings, you should know that not all attractions are actually open on Halloween night. The few bravest to open their doors on Oct. 31 include Land of Illusion, Halloween Haunt, USS Nightmare, St. Rita’s Haunted House, Junction Nightmare and The Dent Schoolhouse.

Here’s a body count of the major scare fairs, with all the grisly details on admission costs and hours of operation:

Fall-O-Ween FestivalThrough Oct. 4Head out to Coney Island for this fest, which includes children’s entertainment, rides, petting zoo, mazes, “apple pie school” and more. Kids are invited to show up in costume and journey down the Trick-or-Treat Trail, and a Fright Lights Laser Show closes out the fest each night at 8 p.m. 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson. 1 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $11.95. (513) 872-5194 or www.coneyislandpark.com.

Tower of London’s DungeonThrough Oct. 25The Ohio Renaissance Festival features a spooky Tower of London that comes complete with racks, chains and the odd executioner. I-71 at exit 45, Harveysburg. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $19.99 for adults, $9.99 for children 5 through 12. (513) 897-7000 or www.renfestival.com.

Kings Island’s Halloween HauntThrough Oct. 31Menacing attractions at Kings Island’s annual fright show (formerly FearFest) include a terrifying three-ring carnival of souls, an asylum run by its inmates, and a crypt where you’ll find yourself screaming for your Mummy. Coney Mall becomes Coney Maul, a creepy experience featuring a walk-through maze. And everyone’s dying to get into the PsychoPath, a foggy parade of shadows. Expect the regular lineup of crazed clowns, demented radio DJs, manic mummies and gruesome spirits, as well. 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. $29.99. (513) 754-5700 or www.visitkingsisland.com.

Chambers of HorrorThrough Nov. 1No bones about it, even Michael Myers would find himself right at home in this place, the former Cambridge Inn (if you find any locked rooms, be sure to bring a skeleton key). Not intended for young children or those with heart trouble. 1601 South University Blvd., Middletown. 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays. $10. (513) 422-4551 or www.thechambers.org.

Jack-O-Lantern JunctionThrough Nov. 1During the daytime, take your little ones to EnterTrainment Junction’s low-scare Halloween walk through a haunted Victorian mansion. Treats for children are available throughout the maze. 7379 Squire Court, West Chester. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. $4. (513) 898-8000 or www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

Land of IllusionThrough Nov. 1Located on the outskirts of Middletown, Land of Illusion is a demonic haunted village stocked with a crew of manic madmen. The Haunted Trail is a one-mile hike through zombie territory, while Temple of Terror is a winding catacomb of suspense. Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate is billed as a demented dwelling, while victims are promised they’ll die laughing at the 3-D Killer Klowns attraction. 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. Dusk to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; dusk to 11:30 p.m. Sundays. Any one terror is $15, two terrors $20, three terrors $25 and all four terrors $30. (513) 423-9960 or www.thelandofillusion.com.

The Dent SchoolhouseThrough Nov. 1Years ago, schoolchildren at the Dent Public School kept disappearing. And the janitor didn’t seem to want to do anything about the awful smells coming from the basement. Ghostly hauntings soon followed, and the script goes on from there. 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent. 7:30 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. $13, $20 fast pass to skip the line. (513) 598-4600 or www.frightsite.com.

USS NightmareThrough Nov. 1Don’t fear the Reaper. The USS Nightmare, a cursed dredge formerly owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, is Northern Kentucky’s largest ghostly attraction, as well as the area’s only haunted steamboat. Special effects include 100 animations, and favorites such as the Rat Lady and Creepy Captain are back. A newly added Nightmare Landing Barge features expanded concessions, arcade games and a laser tag arena. Riverboat Row, Newport. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. $16, $20 for the R.I.P. admission that lets you bypass the line. A “light’s on” children’s matinee, easy on the gore, is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 26; tickets are $6. (859) 261-8500 or www.ussnightmare.com.

Cincinnati Zoo’s HallZOOweenOct. 10-25Check out HallZOOween, the annual non-scary entertainment for your little ghouls and goblins. Kids can trick-or-treat their way around the zoo as they visit the Beauty Shop of Horrors and Frisch’s Pumpkin Patch. 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $13 adults, $9 children ages 2 to 12. (513) 475-6124 or www.cincinnatizoo.org.

Sharon Woods’ Haunted VillageOct. 16-31Ichabod Crane could well lose his head over this one, as some 8,000 people attend this homage to Sleepy Hollow each year. The historical Heritage Village transforms into a hysterical “Haunted Village,” when all 10 different village buildings take on an eerie atmosphere after dark. I-275 (exit 46) at U.S. Route 42 (11450 Lebanon Pike), Sharonville. 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays. $10 adults, $5 children 3-12. (513) 563-9484 or www.heritagevillagecincinnati.org.

Walk in the WoodsOct. 24Your family’s little boys and ghouls will all enjoy this afternoon stroll at Blue Ash Nature Park. Definitely have them wear a costume for this trick-or-treat romp, which also features crafts, games and a Halloween magic show (1 p.m. and 2 p.m.). Recommended for ages 10 and under. 4433 Cooper Road, Blue Ash. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free. (513) 745-6259 or www.blueash.com.